It will begin on 15 March, in Las Tunas, champion of the 63rd SNB.

The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) and the national commission of that sport informed that the III Elite League of Cuban Baseball will begin on March 15 at the Julio Antonio Mella stadium in Las Tunas, current champion of the Island.

The competition will repeat the format of 40 games per team, with the play-offs based on two sub-series of seven games to win four, and six rosters of 32 players each (22 from the qualified province and 10 reinforcements).

Pinar del Río, Industriales, Ciego de Ávila, Las Tunas, Granma and Santiago de Cuba were ratified as the protagonists after securing their places in a league whose calendar will have two stages: qualifying (March-April) and post-season (May).

February 3 will be the deadline for the management teams to submit the names of the 22 chosen from each team, which must have participated in the 63rd National Baseball Series (SNB).

The reinforcements will be chosen on the 7th, a date after the authorities of the event hold a meeting with the directors in order to clarify different aspects.

The training sessions are scheduled to begin on 10 February and the technical meeting will be held on 7 March.

Among the 10 reinforcements, six will emerge from the «pool» formed by the National Baseball Commission and the other four may be chosen at the discretion of the strategists, with the proviso that they have not been included in their teams as participants in the 63rd SNB.

They may, however, be born in Cuba and reside abroad, as members of other leagues. Incidentally, it was clarified that they may be included upon personal request to the province with which they wish to participate and the approval of the CNB.

It was also reported that those contracted by the FCBS may be subject to additions and deletions at any time, according to their contract. And a «window» for three players from any league – including the SNB – will be allowed before the 40th match.

It is also known that withdrawals will be resolved according to the category of those involved (reinforcement by reinforcement; player of the province by player of the province).

It was also stipulated that although all the players of the teams (32) will be eligible, it is essential to declare 27 prior to each match (line up).

And 27 players will travel with the visiting team.